Basket structure for washing machines



March 22, 1949. G. FIELDS I 2,465,216

BASKET STRUCTURE FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed June 21, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. tdrqe F/e/a/S ATTORNEY G. FIELDS 2,465,216 BASKET STRUCTURE FOR WASHING MACHINES I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 22, 1949.

Filed June 21, 1945- INVENTOR. eamye FI /K/S A TTOPNEY W k I v 2 o Q c 00000 0 00 00 o o o 32222229? o Q 0 000000 00000 c o 0:328:22? 2:22:22: 0 Q 900000000000 o 9 2322222 22:22:22 0 c o 0 0000000000 0 o C 20:22:22? EGQZZZZ WQ o o 000 000 00 00 0 o o ioiizzzsxm 2:22:22: 0 o 0 00 00000 0 00 Q Q o 222222.25 222222: 2 o o 0 00000 0 0 000 o C o ZZZZZ szw 2222222: 0 o 0 00000 000000 0 a 0:308:22 .QV Q h M J i1 o Q 0F March 22, 1949. e. FIELDS BASKET STRUCTURE FOR WASHING MACHINES Sheets- Sheet 3 Filed June '21, 1945 m T m 6ar p Fla/da- ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 22, 1949 BASKET STRUCTURE FOR WASHING MACHINES George Fields, Wilmette, 111., assignor to Admiral Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application June 21, 1945, Serial No. 600,802

Claims. (Cl. 210-76) This invention relates to improvement in washing machines, and more particularly in an improved tub construction therefor.

In washing clothes or other articles, it has become recognized that the more desirable washing action is effected by circulating the washing fluid through the clothes. The more effective the circulation of the fluid through the clothes, the more efficient the washing operation. Heretofore, this has been efiected in various manners by agitating the clothes in the water, by moving the container for the clothes, or by moving the water through the clothes. There has been, however, one zone in a washing machine to which relatively little attention has been directed. This is the zone at the wall of the tub. This zone becomes of particular importance in machines of the agitator type.

In automatic washing machines, where the clothes are spun for removing the water therefrom, a foraminous container is necessary in order to efiect the water removing operation. Heretofore, it has been necessary to provide two complete tubs, an outer tub to retain the washing fluid in contact with the clothes,'and an inner independent tub for spinning the clothes and removing the water therefrom. The space be tween these two tubs always had a tendency to accumulate dirt, lint and other extraneous matter, requiring the services of a service man or someone able to disassemble the machine to take the two tubs apart and clean the same.

The present invention contemplates a structure wherein the clothes are held away from contact with the imperiorate water retaining tub by a liner or sub-wall which is perforated or foraminous. It also contemplates a means whereby the liner may be quickly and easily removed without the use of tools by those inexperienced in mechanics. The present invention enables such a construction to be utilized and also contemplates so arranging the parts that they are not loose when in position, preventing rattling thereof, and also presenting a surface which will not be damaging to the clothes during the washing operation.

The invention is particularly useful in washing machines of the type wherever the clothes are freed from water by a rotating motion of the tub although it is by no means limited to this particular type of structure since it will appear it is useful in washing machines having stationary tubs.

Another feature of the invention contemplates I away to disclose the inner tub, certain ftherwi e the more effective and easy cleaning of the space between the outer tub and the liner-:to remove the accumulation of sediment and foreign material which becomes lodged therein and whichldefinitely effects the efficiency of its operation.--.-

Although I am about to describe ,t he .-invention particularly in connection with .its:;use;=t-in machines having vertically disposed tubs, itz-will be apparent that it is equally usefulin; tubs; that are inclined from the vertical axis orare disposed on a longitudinal axis, and that thedescription of the specific embodiment is for thepurpose of clarity of explanation and not to-;;,be considered as a limitation on my invention. .34 Still other advantages of the ,,yinvention,'zland the invention itself, will become more; apparent from the following description.ofan-embodiment thereof, which description is illustrated;.by=:-the accompanying drawings and forms .a part estrus specification, .1:

In the drawings: Fig. l is an elevational view of a chine with a portion of the outencasing br' view through the tub of my inventi the line 2-2 of Fig. 4; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary se line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary m il with certain parts being brok clearly show the structure under In carrying out my invention,

;w therefrom. The side wall preferab ward but maybe cylindrical if d is provided for the tub, benefited-eggwhich are held in the tube engagement with a suitable rnemb the bottom or end wall. T on wall may have a flange or andthe upper ends of the "s engage this ring. 7

More specifically, as slicmvn; throughout which like parts "av" by like reference characte lustrated as applied to a vertical" washing machine. In Fig. 1, there is 51:10 ing I0 which is supported on [IQ e rag may be of any desired type preferably one which retains the water which is spun from the clothes.

;A transmission mechanism may be housed in a 'The sides of the case l2 suspended below the casing and provides means for selectively driving an agitator 01' the The tub is preferably so disposed that the upper edge is below the top of the casing in which may be provided with a cover not she 4 Y The structure of the tub is more clearly shown in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive. As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the sleeve I5 is provided with a flange 20 at its upper end. The sleeve I5 extends through a central aperture in the bottom of the tub, and the flange is secured in driving relation to the tub by screws 2|, theheads of which are countersunk in the flange, andthe shanks of which extend through openings in the flange and tub and are threaded into a bracing member 23 on the underside of the tub. Suitable gaskets may be provided at the point of connection of the flange with the tubto prevent leakage of water therethroughr The bracing member 23 may be of generally disc shape provided with a widened base portion 24 which has a close fit with the sleeve I I and slants upwardly to the bottom of the tub bein secured thereto by bolts 26 which extend through openings in the tub and the edge of the disc. and'are secured by nuts 21 on the under side.

The same bolts 26, are utilized to secure a ring 30 to the bottom inside of the tub. The ring 4 ly extending lip which is engaged in the channel member Ii. which thus holds the lower end securely in place. This lip may be continuous. but I have found that a preferred means comprises a pair of spaced lips or tongues 42 disposed at opposite sides of the segment. As will hereinafter appear, this structure facilitates assembly and disassembly of the structure.

Each segment is foraminous. The holes may be continuous over the entire surface if desired. I have, however, shown a preferred form wherein the holes are restricted to two zones, 43 being a zone at the bottom and 44 being a zone in the mid portion of the side wall between the top and the bottom. The holes may be formed in any suitable or desired manner. Adjacent the upper end of each segment the material is formed into a transversely extending boss 48 which protrudes toward the outer tub wall and is bent back over as indicated at ii to provide a channel, the use of which will more clearly appear as the description proceeds.

As previously stated, the shaft ll extends into the interior of the tub and is provided with a crank arm I S for operating a suitable agitator. Seated on the top of the flange II is a disc I3 through which the shaft l4 extends and to the top of which is secured by screws 34 a disc II. The disc I5 may extend to a point substantially midway between the center of the tub and the side wall, being spaced above the bottom of the :l'lb; the edge terminates in adown-turned fiange As previously stated, means is provided to hold the clothes spaced from the wall of the tub. Preferably, this means is a perforate liner formed of a plurality of segments, each of which is formed with a body portion curved on a radius which permits it to be disposed in spaced parallel relation tothe side wall of the tub and the bottom end of which likewise curves inwardly as viewed in the figures toward the disc 35. body diverge from the bottom and are provided with flanges and bottom. the edges of which engage the side and bottom wall toward the top 4| on the sides are adapted to of the tub.

The contour of each segment is preferably the same and is such that when they are all placed in the tub, the flanges of each segment abut the other to provide a smooth interior surface against which the clothes may rest. In other words, the segments provide a false bottom and side for the tub which is supported and held in spaced relation from the bottom and side walls by the flanges ll.

The lower extremity of each segment is provided with a downwardly curved then outwardthus serves to stiilen the member and hold it against deformation due to the weight of the clothes when they are being spun to dry them. The upper extremity of each segment is formed to provide an inwardly extending part 41 formed with a'finger hole ll therein. This provides a convenient means for engaging the segments with the fingers when it is desired to remove them.

As best illustrated in Fig. 3, the top of this portion is provided with an outwardly extending tongue 50 which may serve as means for frictionally holding the upper part of each segment in its proper position in the tub.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a ring for the upper end of the tub which comprises a downwardly extending fiange I! disposed in spaced relation to the tub wall and secured thereto at spaced points (Fig. 4) by outward projections I! which may be spot welded to the tub wall. The flange could also be secured to the tub wall by bolts or screws extending through the wall into the projections if desired. These projections are spaced regularly around the periphery of the tub and the space between projection provides passageways through which fluid thrown from the clothes ma escape during the spinning operation.

The body of the ring then extends horizontally inwardly. at It and then curves upwardly at I terminating inan outwardly curved edge or bead II which defines the central opening through which the clothes may be withdrawn or inserted into the tub.

The tongues I of the segments are adapted to frictionally engage with the underside of the portionlitoholdthc upper-endsofthcsegments in the tub. If desired, the upper ends of the segments could be held by suitable bolts.

In assembling the segments are inserted by englsing the lips 42 in the channel 8|, after which the top of the segment is rotated back llsinstthembwailwiththctontucllcnngcd under the part II.

The succeeding segments are also placed in the tub in a like manner with the flanges ll juxtaposed to each other, the contour of the segments being such that when the last segment is in position. the segments constitute a complete liner for the side and most of the bottom wall of the tub.

The foraminous structure permits better circulction of water through the clothes. After the clothes are washed, the tub may be rotated about its axis, and the water passes out through the holes 48 into the space behind the segments. Q

It is then forced upwardly due to the inclination of the tub wall where it passes through the openings between the projections 58 and is discharged to the outer container Ii.

In course of time, sediment and other foreign material becomes lodged behind the segments. At this time, the segments may be quickly removed by placing a finger in the opening 48 and pulling the top of the segments toward the center of the tub and removing the lips or tongues from in spaced relation from the side wall above said end wall, said liner comprised of a plurality of thechannel ii. The segments being removed, v

, 'the accumulation of material may be easily and quickly rinsed oil and the segments replaced.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved tub for a washing machine which assists in the washing and drying of the clothes. The improved structure is easy to remove and replace by those mechanically unskilled and without the use of tools. Because it is easy to remove, it facilitates the cleaning of the machine, make accessible heretofore inaccessible places which lends itself to more efllcient operation as well as increased sanitation.

Having thus described my invention in an embodiment thereof, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A washing machine comprising a housing, a tub supported within said housing and including an end wall, a side wall extending from said end wall and having an open end, a member carried by said end wall and spaced therefrom and having a free edge, a plurality of foraminous segments adapted to be disposed in spaced relation to said side wall with the ends held by said free edge, said segments being disposed with their edges in wedging engagement with each other to hold them in position and provide a substantially continuous liner each of said segments having outwardly extending ribs for engagement with said tub wall and to hold them spaced from said wall.

2. A washing machine comprising a housing, a tub disposed within the housing and comprising an end wall and a side wall extending from said end wall to provide an open end for said tub, a ring secured to the side wall adjacent the open end, a liner for holding the material to be washed in spaced relation to said walls comprised of a plurality of removable segments, each segment being foraminous and formed with edge ilanges for engagement with said side and end walls and to hold said segments in spaced relation to said walls, said segments adapted to be disposed with the edge flanges in juxtaposed relation to each other, means to hold the ends of said segments to the end wall, the other ends of said segments adapted for engagement with said ring, said segments being provided with projections extending circumferentially relative to the side wall for holding the ends of said segments in spaced relation thereto.

3. A washing machine comprising a housing, a tub disposed within the housing and comprising an end wall and aside wall extending from said end wall and formed to provide an open end for said tub, a ring secured to the said tub adjacent the open end at spaced intervals therearound and formed to provide fluid escape passages at the outer edge thereof, means for holding the material to be washed in spaced relation to said walls comprising a liner having its edge extending removable segments provided with foraminous zones, each segment having edge flanges for engagement with said side and end wall and to hold said segments in spaced relation to said walls, means to hold the ends of said segments to the end wall, the other end of said segments adapted for engagement with said ring, said segments being provided with a projection extending circumferentially relative to the side wall for holding the ends of said segments in spaced relation thereto.

4. A washing machine comprising a housing, a tub mounted for rotary movement in said housing comprising an end wall and a side wall extending from said end wall at an angle slightly greater than and formed to provide an open end for the tub a member secured to said tub at the open end thereof and comprising a ring secured to the side wall at spaced intervals therearound and formed to provide fluid escape passages at the outer edge of the ring, means for holding the material to be washed in closely spaced relation to said walls comprising a liner, a member secured to the end wall and having its edge extending in spaced relation from the side wall above said end wall, said liner comprised of a plurality of removable segments, each segment being formed with edge flanges for engagement with said side and end wall and to hold said segments in spaced relation to said walls. said segments adapted to be disposed with the edge flanges in juxtaposed relation to each other to form a substantially continuous sub wall, said member adapted to hold the ends of said segments to the end wall, the other end of said segments adapted for wedging engagement with the underside of said ring and formed with projections extending away from said side wall, said projections each formed with a finger hole which may be engaged to remove the segments by moving them inwardly away from the side wall, said segments being provided with a projection extending circumferentially relative to the side wall for holding the ends of .said segments in spaced relation thereto, said segments being provided with a foraminous zone spaced intermediate the ends of the side wall and a second zone disposed opposite the end wall.

5. A washing machine comprising, a housing, a tub disposed within the housing and comprising an end wall and a side wall extending from said end wall to provide an open end for said tub, a ring secured to the side wall adjacent the open end extending inward from the side walls and defining an opening of less diameter than the side wall, a liner for holding the material to be washed in spaced relation to said side wall comprising a plurality of removable segments, each segment being foraminous and formed with outwardly extending flanges for engagement with said side wall for holding them in spaced relation thereto, said segments adapted to be disposed with their longitudinal edges in juxtaposed relation to each other, means to hold the segments to the end wall, the other ends adapted for engagement with said ring, said liner when in position having a diameter greater than that of the opening in the ring.

GEORGE FIELDS.

(References on following page) Newhall W 23, 1883 Nun. Dun-2*. Bryaon July 20, 101. Dunhun Apr. 80, 1939 Btramulle Oct. 13. 1981 Humvee Dec. 6, 10:: Miller Nov. 23, m7 FOREIGN PATIN'IB Country Dete Great Britfln 1m 

